Incident Overview
A pilot conducting an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Melbourne, Florida to Naples, Florida experienced a hard landing upon arrival. The pilot was cleared for a very-high frequency omnidirectional radio range (VOR) approach to runway 5 at Naples. Visual meteorological conditions were encountered at 400 feet above ground level.
Sequence of Events
During the flare, the pilot rounded out too high and too fast. The airplane touched down hard on the runway and bounced. After the bounce, the airplane touched back down and began to porpoise. The porpoising motion caused the nose wheel to shear off. The airplane continued down the runway and came to a complete stop.
Aircraft Damage
Both wings were wrinkled to their wing roots, and the cabin area was buckled. The nose landing gear separated from the aircraft due to the hard landing.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane. He attributed the incident solely to rounding out too high, which led to the hard landing and subsequent nose gear failure.